May142010

by Kristen Hayner

One of our partners, Ellie's Run for Africa, will host its 6th annual 5K race and family fun day next weekend - Saturday, May 22, 2010 - at Percy Warner Park. Not a runner? No problem. There's something in it for everyone...

Ellie's Run was started by a Nashville teen when she was just ten years old. Responding to a "missionary Sunday" presentation at her church, Ellie knew that she had to do something to help the kids she saw in those pictures whose mothers could not feed them and who had no chance at an education.

Today, Ellie is planning her 4th trip to Africa this summer and has raised $210,000 for educational efforts in the Kibera slum of Kenya through the race. What's more is that she has learned to see the hope that the Africans have in education as a way out of the slums.

In addition to the 5K race, Ellie's Run features a kid's one-mile fun run, African dancing and drumming, cultural activities and learning opportunities and carnival-like games. Yes - it's a race. But it's really a family event.We hope to see you there on May 22! Learn more or register at www.elliesrun.org.